Alan Jackson’s “First Love” Back At Country Music Hall Of Fame

/by

AJ2The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s special exhibition Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country, originally scheduled to close in March, has been extended through June 21, 2015.

To celebrate the extension, the museum welcomes the return of Jackson’s cherished ’55 Ford Thunderbird, on display in the Curb Conservatory lobby from Feb. 8 to 16. Jackson began saving money when he was 12 years old and bought the car when he was 15. He restored it with his dad, Gene, and drove it throughout high school. In fact, Denise Jackson, Alan’s wife, agreed to a first date with her future husband because “he owned the coolest car in town.” After the couple married, Jackson sold his dream machine to make a down payment on their first home. Several years later Denise tracked down the car and gave it to Alan as a Christmas gift. The T-Bird served as inspiration for his 2002 song “First Love,” and, in 2008, the car (and Denise) appeared in Jackson’s music video “Good Time.”

“We are thrilled to bring Alan’s ‘first love,’ his 1955 T-Bird, back to the museum,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “This beautiful car was not only an integral part of Alan and Denise’s love story but the inspiration for one of his songs. Its return is the perfect way to kick-off the exhibit’s extension and celebrate Valentine’s Day.”

To mark the T-Bird’s return and the Jacksons’ incredible love story, the museum is launching the “First Love Getaway” Contest. From today until Feb. 6, fans can share their own first-date stories on the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Facebook page for a chance to win a romantic Valentine’s weekend getaway for two to Nashville. For more information including how to enter and prize details, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

ASCAP Selects Unsigned Writers for Year-long Program

/by
Pictured: ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan (third from left) with 2015 ASCAP GPS participants (l-r) Carlton Anderson, Jeremy Crady, Nick Columbia, Maggie Delone, Jeff Anderson, Casey Weston, Jared Scott, Vanessa Branson, Ben Goldsmith, Jordan Schmidt, Carmen Brandy, Tyler Flowers, Thomas Finchum and CayleeAnna Hammack. Not pictured: Hannah Ellis, Jilian Linklater and Daphne Willis.

Pictured: (L-R): Carlton Anderson, Jeremy Crady, LeAnn Phelan (ASCAP), Nick Columbia, Maggie Delone, Jeff Anderson, Casey Weston, Jared Scott, Vanessa Branson, Ben Goldsmith, Jordan Schmidt, Carmen Brandy, Tyler Flowers, Thomas Finchum and CayleeAnna Hammack. Not pictured: Hannah Ellis, Jilian Linklater and Daphne Willis.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) has announced the talented unsigned songwriters that will make up the ASCAP Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters (GPS) Project Class of 2015.

Now in its fifth year, the GPS Project aims to display unsigned writers for our publishing community. Throughout the project, songwriters are paired with publishers for one meeting a month along with a follow-up for critiquing and networking. Additional special activities will include a songwriters round, networking events and guidance from attorneys and other industry influentials.

“We have to remain focused on writer development, not just at ASCAP, but as a music community,” commented ASCAP Senior Creative Director LeAnn Phelan. “​GPS gives deserving young writers an opportunity to learn from the best publishers in the world. ​​It’s really that simple. The publishers do an incredible job and I’m grateful for their participation.”

The 2015 ASCAP GPS Project kicked off in January and will continue throughout the year.

Star-Studded Benefits: Two-Step With Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell

/by

celebrity barndance2Do-Si-Do At The Celebrity Barn Dance

Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Cory Chisel, team up for the Celebrity Barn Dance & Benefit Concert on Saturday, March 28 to benefit MusiCares®, Music Health Alliance, Bonaparte’s Retreat and New Beginnings at Lake Charles. The second annual fundraiser will be at The Jaeckle Centre in Thompson’s Station, a premier equine facility and the largest barn in the south.

VIP tickets include a meet and greet, wine tasting and dinner prepared by award-winning chef Dean Fearing of the Austin Ritz-Carlton. Patrons with general admission tickets are invited to bring their own beverages. Tickets at www.thebarndance.com.

Debbie Ballentine _PosterI Am A Woman Benefit For Debbie Ballentine

The I Am A Woman concert will benefit Debbie Ballentine who is battling cancer. Set to perform are Lorrie Morgan, Vince Gill, Pam Tillis, Jesse Keith Whitley, Ashlee Hewitt, TG Sheppard, Kelly Lang and Baillie and The Boys. The event will be hosted by TV personality Nan Kelley at the Silver Dollar Saloon on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and available here or at the door. Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/iwfwic.

Jammin’ For A Good Cause—Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam

Trace Adkins, Ted Nugent, Tracy Lawrence, Craig Morgan, Colt Ford, The Oak Ridge Boys and Michael W. Smith have been added to the line-up of the Charlie Daniels 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam, set for Aug. 12 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Previously announced performers include Travis Tritt, Montgomery Gentry, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Kentucky Headhunters, The Outlaws and Lee Roy Parnell. The event benefits The Journey Home Project and The Predators Foundation. Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. CST via Ticketmaster.

charlie daniels volunteer jam

DISClaimer: Royal Tailor, For King & Country Light Up CCM

/by
for-king-and-country1featured

For King & Country

To say that DisClaimer is woefully behind in reviewing CCM recordings would be the understatement of the year.

For fans of the genre, some music in this column might be old news. For the rest of you, welcome aboard my voyage of discovery as we survey current Contemporary Christian Music CDs, plus a few traditional gospel offerings.

The column is dominated by such CCM veterans as Michael W. Smith, MercyMe, Steve Taylor, Ginny Owens and the Newsboys, not to mention such Southern gospel old-timers as Gold City and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. But you’ll also find three current Grammy Award nominees here, and two of them are this week’s DisClaimer award winners. The Disc of the Day goes to Royal Tailor, and the DisCovery Award belongs to For King & Country.

STEVE TAYLOR & THE PERFECT FOIL/A Life Preserved
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Splint (track)
-Steve Taylor has come the closest of anyone in his field to being the embodiment of a rock star. At least he has always looked and sounded like one, to me (remember Chagall Guevera?). His new incarnation and Kickstarter-funded comeback CD with “The Perfect Foil” is titled Goliath. That’s where you’ll find this psychedelic gem, complete with space-cadet vocals, spare guitar stinging and throbbing rhythm. Despite 30 years in the biz, he retains his satiric wit and his alternative cred.

MICHAEL W. SMITH/The Old Rugged Cross
Writers: George Bernard; Producer: Kyle Lee; Publishers: public domain; Cracker
-It is mildly jarring to realize that one of the founders of the CCM genre is now an eminence. Smitty’s current project for Cracker Barrel is a collection of hymn standards like “Just as I Am,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Softly and Tenderly.” It leads off with a straightforward reading of this 1913 chestnut. The production is tastefully restrained, just piano, strings, dobro and light vocal harmonies.

ROYAL TAILOR/Ready Set Go
Writers: Tauren Wells/Cole Walowac/Jeff Pardo; Producer: Cole Walowac; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of Third Base/Brentwood Benson/Meaux Jeaux/Da Bears Da Bears Da Bears/Capitol CMG, BMI/SESAC; Provident/Sony
-This melodic rock group’s current CD is nominated as CCM Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. It has already yielded such hits as “Remain” and “Original.” The current single/video is a frothing, propulsive collaboration with the rapping Capital Kings, whose Cole Walowac produces. Unlike many of these things, the combination of the soaring tenor vocals and urgent speaking lines is perfectly balanced. The whole Royal Tailor CD totally rocks. Buy it.

Royal Tailor

Royal Tailor

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER/Will You Go
Writers: Steve Watts/Doyle Lawson; Producer: Doyle Lawson; Publishers: Red Bud/Top O Holston, ASCAP/BMI; Mountain Home
-Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Lawson has released 40 albums, half of which have been gospel projects. His Quicksilver has seven IBMA Vocal Group of the Year awards and multiple Dove and Grammy nominations. This thrilling call-and-response, raise-the-rafters toe tapper is just one highlight from the group’s Open Carefully, Message Inside collection. These men can flat-out SING. I remain an enormous fan.

NEWSBOYS/Hallelujah for the Cross
Writers: Ross King/Todd Wright; Producer: Seth Mosley; Publishers: Simple Tense/Todd Wright, ASCAP/BMI; First
-The repertoire of this durable pop-rock foursome takes a turn toward the traditional on its latest album. They give a kick, a push and a U2 vibe to oldies such as “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” and “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” as well as to this rousing title tune. Exciting and ear opening.

GINNY OWENS/No Borders
Writers: Ginny Owens/Wordspring/Josh Bronleewe/Benji Cowart; Producer: Josh Bronleewe; Publishers: ChickPower/Wordspring/Word/Howie Cowie, SESAC/ASCAP; ChickPower/Word
-I have always thought that this CCM singer-songwriter deserves mainstream pop stardom. Others have sometimes agreed, since she has been featured on a Lilith Fair tour and at the Sundance Film Festival. Her songs have been heard on the soundtracks of the TV series Roswell, Charmed, Get Real and Felicity. To date, she has sold nearly a million records, largely to the Christian community, despite the fact that her lyrics are seldom church-y. Her latest CD is called I Know a Secret, and it ripples with electronic washes over her gorgeous piano work and glistening vocal performances. Start with this hopeful, uplifting track, then dive into the rest of one of the year’s best female listening experiences.

FOR KING & COUNTRY/Run Wild
Writers: none listed; Producers: Seth Mosley/For King & Country; Publishers: none listed; Fervent/Curb
-The Smallbone family has faced its share of tribulations since migrating to Music City from Australia. But now everything is coming up roses for brothers Luke and Joel. Their group, For King & Country, is up for a CCM Album of the Year Grammy Award with its CD Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong. It kicks off with this stately rock stomper featuring guest Andy Mineo. If you know these guys at all, it’s probably for the anthemic, sing-along hit “Fix My Eyes.” This shows that there’s a lot more where that came from.

LARRY STEPHENSON BAND/Pull Your Savior In
Writers: Larry Stephenson; Producers: Ben Surratt/Larry Stephenson; Publishers: Lee-Dawn, BMI; Whysper Dream
-Stephenson is celebrating his 25th anniversary in bluegrass with a gospel collection. His workmanlike lead tenor singing and mandolin work anchor a band that never misses a note, as you’ll hear on this self-composed CD title tune. The rest of the repertoire is drawn largely from familiar bluegrass songwriters such as Randall Hylton, Donna Ulisse, The Louvin Brothers, Lester Flatt and Albert E. Brumley. The whole thing sounds heartfelt.

MERCYME/Shake
Writers: MercyMe/Soil Olds/David Garcia/Ben Glover; Producers: David Garcia/Ben Glover; Publishers: MercyMe/Wet as a Fish/Soul Glow Activator/D Soul/Universal/Brentwood Benson/9t One/Arlose, ASCAP/BMI; Fairtrade/Provident (track)
-This big rollicking hit from MercyMe’s Welcome to the New collection is nominated for a Grammy as CCM Song of the Year. The five-man group attacks it with shouted gusto and plenty of oomphy rhythm. The band’s current single, “Greater,” is also on this CD, and it is even more dance happy. I believe this is MercyMe’s 10th nationally distributed album, and something tells me this is their year for Grammy glory.

GOLD CITY/Nothing But The Blood
Writers: traditional; Producer: Gordon Mote; Publishers: public domain; New
-For good old-fashioned, four-square gospel harmonizing, you can’t beat these Alabama boys. Their current Hymn Revival collection will send you straight back to church. It kicks off with this steadily building altar call and keeps right on going.

Craig Campbell Signs With Magic Mustang Music For Publishing

/by
Pictured (L-R): BBR Music Group Owner/CEO Benny Brown; Magic Mustang Music VP Juli Newton-Griffith; artist Craig Campbell.

Pictured (L-R): BBR Music Group Owner/CEO Benny Brown; Magic Mustang Music VP Juli Newton-Griffith; artist Craig Campbell.

Singer-songwriter Craig Campbell has signed to Magic Mustang Music’s publishing roster. This follows Campbell’s signing with BBR Music Group’s label imprint, Red Bow Records, last month.

“I have known Craig for a while and have always been impressed by his talent,” said Juli Newton-Griffith, VP of Publishing for Magic Mustang Music. “To have him as part of our team is beyond exciting. We are ready to hit the ground running!”

Campbell, a SESAC songwriter, recently notched a co-writing credit for “All American Kid,” featured on Garth Brooks’ album Man Against Machine. Campbell also co-penned half of the songs on his 2013 sophomore effort, Never Regret, as well as the majority of the tunes on his self-titled 2011 debut album, including his Top 15 hit “Family Man.”

“I’m super excited to join the Magic Mustang roster,” said Campbell. “Some of my favorite songs I’ve written have been with writers Rob Hatch and Justin Wilson, and now to be a part of that family is a pretty big deal to me. I’ve always admired what Juli and the Magic Mustang team do in the publishing world and I am so looking forward to what is ahead.”

Campbell is booked by William Morris Endeavor.

Kristian Bush Sets Streamsound Debut

/by

Kristian-Bush-Southern-GravityKristian Bush will release his debut solo Streamsound Records album, Southern Gravity, on April 7.

A proven hit-maker with the duo Sugarland, Bush teamed with producer Tom Tapley and executive producer Byron Gallimore (Sugarland, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw) for the release. Bush is a co-writer on each of the album’s 12 tracks (listing below).

The lead single for the album, “Trailer Hitch,” has risen to No. 42 on the MusicRow Chart as of this week. The inspiring lyrics sparked Bush to partner with Goodwill Industries International for the #GiveItAway campaign to encourage donations of used clothing and goods.

“The songs on Southern Gravity feel like home to me, and I am proud and excited to share them, finally,” said Bush. “They are your stories as much as they are mine, and I hope you hear yourself in here, no matter if you are standing up, falling down, or dancing in between the pieces of your life.”

In 2015, Bush will continue his Put Your Soul In It Tour, beginning with appearances at the Ryman Auditorium (2/15), The Bluebird Cafe (2/26) and the Grand Ole Opry (3/6) in Nashville before heading overseas for select tour stops in Australia.

Southern Gravity Track Listing

1. “Make Another Memory” (Kristian Bush/Jeff Cohen/Rodney Clawson)
2. “Light Me Up” (Bush/Jesse Rice)
3. “Trailer Hitch” (Bush/Brandon Bush/Tim Owens)
4. “Southern Gravity” (Bush/Scooter Carusoe)
5. “Flip Flops” (Bush/Jeff Cohen/Paul Overstreet)
6. “Giving It Up” (Bush/Jeff Cohen/Tom Douglas)
7. “Feeling Fine California” (Bush/Cohen/Overstreet)
8. “Waiting On An Angel” (Bush/Cohen/Bob DiPiero)
9. “Walk Tall” (Bush/Cohen/Nathaniel “Bo”Rinehart/William “Bear” Rinehart)
10. “SendingYou A Sunset” (Bush/Tim Owens)
11. “Sweet Love” (Bush/Sherrie Austin/Phil Barton/Cohen)
12. “House On A Beach” (Bush/Canaan Smith)

Sam Hunt Celebrates No. 1 Single, Upcoming Tour

/by
Pictured (l-r): Three Mules Music's Chris Hunter; Country Aircheck's Chuck Aly; Universal Music Group's Mike Dungan; producer Zach Crowell; co-writers Shane McAnally, Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne; ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan; Black River Publishing's Celia Froehlig; and Universal Music Publishing's Kent Earls. Photo by Alan Poizner.

Pictured (l-r): Three Mules Music’s Chris Hunter; ‘Country Aircheck’s’ Chuck Aly; Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan; producer Zach Crowell; co-writers Shane McAnally, Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne; ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan; Black River Publishing’s Celia Froehlig; and Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls. Photo: Alan Poizner.

Sam Hunt had plenty of reasons to celebrate Monday (Jan. 26): his first No. 1 as an artist, his third No. 1 as a songwriter, and the launch of a sold-out headlining tour. So he marked the occasion with a performance at Rocketown in Nashville—complete with breakdancing kids and graffiti artists.

sam hunt breakdancer

Breakdancers were in the audience at the Sam Hunt tour preview.

Hunt and his team kicked off the festivities by toasting his debut single “Leave The Night On” reaching No. 1. After success penning hits for other artists, Hunt co-wrote the song with frequent collaborators Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne—it was their seventh and fifth chartoppers, respectively. All three songwriters are ASCAP members. “I think Josh is a secret weapon,” said McAnally, “but I think the secret is out.” Saluting Hunt, he added, “he makes music that comes from the heart… without regard for genre.”

“You are a game changer,” agreed UMPG’s Kent Earls. 

“Leave The Night On” has sold one million copies, making it Hunt’s first platinum single as an artist. The follow-up, “Take Your Time,” is the most downloaded country song on this week’s chart.

McAnally called his co-producer Zach Crowell a “mindreader” for helping complete the sound they were striving for. “Leave The Night On” is Crowell’s first No. 1 as a producer, though his experience includes manning the boards for LeCrae.

Hunt said he had been writing with McAnally and Osborne for about five years and thanked them for believing in him. Watching from the crowd were his parents Joan and Allen Hunt, visiting from Cedartown, Georgia. The MCA Nashville artist also noted appreciation for his team before launching into an enthusiastic set including “Leave The Night On,” “Take Your Time,” “Break Up In A Small Town,” “House Party” and “Speakers.”

His Lipstick Graffiti outing opens Thursday, Jan. 29 with a sold-out show at famed Los Angeles venue The Troubador. Later this year he joins Lady Antebellum’s tour.

A graffiti artist at work during the party.

A graffiti artist at work during the party.

The Band Perry To Help Recording Academy Launch Grammy Amplifier

/by
The Band Perry 2014

The Band Perry

The Band Perry has signed on to take part in launching The Recording Academy’s third annual Grammy Amplifier, an online initiative intended to mentor emerging artists and provide them with outlets to showcase their talents.

The Band Perry will serve as curators for the program alongside Ziggy Marley and Allen Stone. Mark Ronson will serve as the 2015 Grammy Amplifier Ambassador. The ambassador and curators will vet talent via online submissions and select the program’s three winners who will individually be awarded one of the following prizes: (1) a studio recording session with a Grammy-winning producer; (2) filming and starring in their own music video with a noted director; or (3) securing an opening spot for a noted musician and/or at a music festival.

Submissions are being accepted at GRAMMYAmplifier.com. Based on their track plays and social media “amplifications,” the top 25 finalists will be brought together for a Grammy Amplifier mentorship experience. The top 25 will then be whittled down by the program curators to a short list of finalists. The program ambassador will select the final three winners and align each of them with one of three top prizes.

The 2015 GRAMMY Amplifier program marks the start of a newly inked three-year renewal between Hyundai and The Recording Academy, again naming Hyundai the official vehicle partner of The Grammy Awards.

Trisha Yearwood Set To Release Third Cookbook

/by

trisha yearwood1Trisha Yearwood is set to release her third cookbook, Trisha’s Table: My Feel-Good Favorites For A Balanced Life, which will be released March 31, 2015 (Clarkson Potter). The new work offers recipes with healthier ingredients, as well as recipes similar to those found in Yearwood’s previous cookbooks, Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen (2008), and Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood (2010).

Among the recipes found in Trisha’s Table are dairy-free Angel Hair Pasta with Avocado Pesto, vegetarian Smashed Sweet Pea Burgers, Edamame Parmesan, as well as comfort foods such as Slow Cooker Georgia Pulled-Pork Barbecue, and Chicken Tortilla Casserole.

Yearwood penned the book with sister Beth Yearwood Bernard, and it includes a foreword by Garth Brooks. In the past couple of years, Yearwood has emphasized a healthy lifestyle, and debuted a slimmed down physique at the 48th annual Academy of Country Music awards.

Now she’s sharing some healthier recipes with fans.

“I still agree with the famous quote ‘everything in moderation, including moderation,’ but I have adopted an 80/20 rule when it comes to my delicate relationship with food: 80 percent of the time I make good choices; 20 percent of the time I let myself splurge a little,” Yearwood writes in the book’s introduction.

She continues, “Growing up enjoying my parents’ and grandparents’ comfort food taught me early on about taste. It was always hard for me to go on a traditional diet because I had been led to believe I had to sacrifice flavor to shed a few pounds, so that effort never lasted very long. This girl likes food! I am not one of those people who gets so busy with my day that I suddenly think to myself, “Wow, I forgot to eat lunch!” That never happens to me. Never. I think about food all the time, so making peace with eating is a daily battle for me. I won’t say I’ve completely figured it out, but I will say that right now, I win that battle more days than I lose it, and I believe that’s the key.”

Weekly Register: Sam Hunt Takes His Time on Albums, Tracks Charts

/by

montevallo1111It might be an understatement to say newcomer and MCA Nashville artist Sam Hunt is having a great week. Not only did he celebrate his first No. 1 single with a party in Nashville earlier this week, but he has the top-selling country song and country album in the country this week, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood also make strong showings in the Top 5 on both the albums and tracks charts this week.

Tracks

Hunt’s “Take Your Time” is the top-selling country track this week (and No. 22 overall), notching 48k units. He is followed by Florida Georgia Line‘s “Sun Daze” with 33k, Blake Shelton (ft. Ashley Monroe)’s “Lonely Tonight” with 30k, Carrie Underwood‘s “Something In The Water” with 27k, and Luke Bryan‘s “I See You” with 25k.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars‘ “Uptown Funk” remains the top-selling track this week, with 344k this week, and 2.8 million RTD. This week’s top debut overall was Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney‘s “FourFiveSeconds” which debuted at No. 15 overall, selling 53k units.

Overall track sales are down 11.6 percent YTD, while country track sales YTD are down 18.2 percent. This time last year, Katy Perry had the top track with “Dark Horse” at 294k units, and Luke Bryan had the top country track with “Drink A Beer” selling 53k.

Albums

WeeklyReg1The Top 5 country albums this week are Sam Hunt’s Montevallo (16k), Jason Aldean‘s Old Boots, New Dirt (10.5k), Carrie Underwood’s Greatest Hits: Decade #1 (9.3k), Blake Shelton’s Bringing Back The Sunshine (9.1k), and Garth Brooks‘ Man Against Machine (8.6k).

Fall Out Boy debuts at No. 1 on the Top 200 albums chart this week, with the album American Beauty/American Psycho selling 218k in total consumption, with 192k of those being albums. Digital albums accounted for 77 percent of the 192k units.

The top debut on the country album chart this week was Ralph Stanley‘s Man of Constant Sorrow, selling 3.4k.

Overall album sales were down .4 percent YTD, while overall country album sales were up .7 percent. This week last year, the soundtrack for Frozen sold 93k, while Jennifer Nettles‘ That Girl had the top-selling country album, with 19k sold.

Coming Soon

2/17 Mavericks, Aaron Watson
3/3 Toby Keith
3/10 Luke Bryan Spring Break Compilation
3/24 Easton Corbin, Montgomery Gentry
3/31 Josh Turner